Steve is a (semi-retired) professor of psychiatry at Melbourne University and a psychiatrist. He was previously the director of psychosocial oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and, before that, the head of general hospital and emergency psychiatry at the Alfred Hospital. Steve is passionate about health communication and has aimed to promote good mental health for decades. He co-authored (with Catherine Deveny) the go-to general public guide for mental health, “Mental: Everything you never knew you needed to know about Mental Health”, which is available as an Australian edition, plus a UK edition (specific to the NHS), and a translated Chinese edition. He also co-wrote (with Rob Selzer) the pocket guide to psychiatry for students, “Psych Lite – Psychiatry that’s easy to read.”
Steve's influence extends beyond academia. He is a sought-after media commentator on health matters, lending his expertise to Melbourne’s ABC Radio and 3RRR (as Dr DoLittle on Radiotherapy). His ability to demystify mental health issues was further demonstrated in the 2-part SBS TV documentary “How ‘mad’ are you?” which he hosted, exploring stigma in mental health.
Steve’s research interests span a wide range of psychiatric disciplines. He has a keen focus on psycho-oncology, infectious diseases, emergency psychiatry, trauma psychiatry, and the psychiatric complications of medical disorders. His curiosity also extends to medical education and the neurobiology of anxiety disorders, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of psychiatry.
Since becoming ‘semi-retired’, Steve has focused on writing fiction while continuing to do occasional locums around Australia and supporting the Wellbeing Program at Peter Mac
How I Use AI in My Writing
In recent years, AI has become one of the tools I use in my writing process, but not a replacement for experience, judgement or responsibility.
All essays begin with my own ideas: the questions I am considering, the structure I can see, the argument I want to make, and the stories or examples I want to use. I draft the outline myself and often write the first draft as well.
I then use AI as I might a very fast research assistant or editor. It can help me tidy language, test structure, find relevant research, suggest alternative phrasing, identify gaps in logic, or remind me of ideas I may have missed.
But the perspective is mine. I rewrite, cut, correct, argue with, and reshape the material until I am satisfied. I do not use AI to invent clinical experience, personal stories, or convictions I do not hold. Anything published under my name represents my thinking, judgement, and final voice, and I take responsibility for the final argument.
AI helps with some of the labour of writing. The judgement, voice and final responsibility remain mine.
Steve Ellen